A Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practically resolvedA Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practicaly resolved

5. Of the Power and Efficacy of this Spiritual Discipline unto its proper end, the primitive Christians, at least, had experience. For 300 years, the Church had no other way or means for the preservation of its Order, Peace, Purity and Holiness, but the spiritual efficacy of this Discipline, on the Souls and Consciences of professed Christians. Neither did it fail therein, nor were the Churches any longer preserved in peace and purity, than whilst they had this Discipline alone for their preservation, without the least contribution of assistance from secular power, or any thing that should operate on the outward concerns of mankind. And there can be no other reason given, why it should not be of the same use and efficacy still unto all Churches, but only the loss of all those internal Graces, which are necessary to make any Gospel Institution effectual; wherefore,

All Sense and Experience hereof, of the Spiritual Power and efficacy of this Discipline was utterly lost, amongst the most of them that are called Christians. Neither those who had assumed a pretence of the administration of it, nor those towards whom it was administered, could find any thing in it, that did affect the Consciences of men, with respect unto its proper ends. They found it a thing altogether useless in the Church, wherein none of any sort would be concerned.

All Sense and Experience hereof, of the Spiritual Power and efficacy of this Discipline was utterly lost, amongst the most of them that are called Christians. Neither those who had assumed a pretence of the administration of it, nor those towards whom it was administred, could find any thing in it, that did affect the Consciences of men, with respect unto its proper ends. They found it a thing altogether useless in the Church, wherein none of any sort would be concerned.